Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Hailey man charged with felony battery

Suspect accused of daylong beating of his wife

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By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Dennis W. Cummins

A Hailey man was booked into the Blaine County Jail late Sunday evening for allegedly beating his wife throughout the day.

Dennis W. Cummins, 49, was formally charged Monday with "felony domestic battery with traumatic injury" in Blaine County Magistrate Court. His 51-year-old wife was released from St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center on Monday after being transported there Sunday evening by Wood River Fire and Rescue ambulance.

"She had bruising quite extensively all over her body," Hailey Police Chief Jeff Gunter said Monday. "Allegedly, it had been occurring all day yesterday."

Cummins is accused of other indignities inflicted upon the woman.

"Dennis allegedly forcefully grabbed her arm, pulled her clothes off and threw her out in the snow," Gunter said. "He also tore an earring out of her ear."

The incident remained under investigation Monday and Gunter was unable to explain why the alleged beating took place.

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He said officers were called to the couple's home in the China Gardens area of west Hailey shortly before 11:30 p.m. The call to police came from a "computer customer service company" but Gunter was uncertain Monday of the circumstances leading to the report.

"Based on what officers saw at the scene, Dennis was placed under arrest," Gunter said.

Cummins was released from jail Monday evening after posting $5,000 bond. A preliminary hearing for the suspect was scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, at 9 a.m. in magistrate court.